Dasha (astrology) - Vimshottari Dasha

Vimshottari Dasha is a 120 year long cycle of planetary positions based on the position of the Moon in one of the 27 divisions, or lunar mansions, called nakshatras. In this system, each planet is assigned a different mahadasha or major period, ranging from six to twenty years. For example, the mahadasha of Shukra (Venus), lasts twenty years and will bring the karmic pattern that Venus reveals in the horoscope into the lime-light of the native's life.

Each of the seven planets and the two lunar nodes (making the nine navagraha) has its own period or mahadasha in the cycle. Each graha is the lord (or ruler) of three of the twenty seven nakshatras (3 x 9), which, together with the position of the moon, determine how the system operates. The order and times of the mahadashas are shown in the following table: